# Napster and The Straight Dope
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815
**Category:** About This Message Board
**Created:** [December 3, 2000, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815 "2000-12-03T08:49:27Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2000, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/1 "2000-12-03T08:49:27Z")
In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=48532) thread, **UncleBeer** says:
> [@](#):
>
> Moderator’s Notes: I’ve deleted Homer’s Napster name. It is the view of the Chicago Reader and the Straight Dope that the use of Napster violates current copyright laws. As such, we do not allow this board to used as a vehicle for breaking such laws. Please do not use this message board for the purpose of trading music through Napster or similar services. I have deleted, and will continue to delete, such information relentlessly. Thank you, UncleBeer.
Okay, that’s completely understandable and I agree 100%. However, if/when Napster starts to charge for their “services”, will the Chicago Reader still feel the same way? Or will we be able to post usernames again? What other restrictions do we have right now regarding Napster?
Thanks.
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### Author:  [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2000, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/2 "2000-12-03T16:29:52Z")
Another question:
If I use Napster to trade completely legal or out-of-copyright files (such as Metallica live bootlegs, which they _encourage_ the trading of), would my username be allowed to be mentioned on the SDMB?
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### Author:  [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2000, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/3 "2000-12-03T17:44:03Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Montfort \*
> \*\*Another question:
>
> If I use Napster to trade completely legal or out-of-copyright files (such as Metallica live bootlegs, which they _encourage_ the trading of), would my username be allowed to be mentioned on the SDMB? \*\*
At the present time there is no way to tell who respects the copyright laws and who doesn’t; Napster allows for both.
I would think that until the day Napster gets right with copyright law we’re not going to be able to allow you to play those reindeer games on this site.
The matter is currently being reviewed by management and if there are changes to our policy we’ll let you know.
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
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### Author:  [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2000, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/4 "2000-12-03T18:20:04Z")
I do not agree at all with this position. However, since this is board policy let me direct you to my own thread in IMHO [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=43316](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=43316)
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2000, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/5 "2000-12-03T18:33:08Z")
Concerning said thread, I’ve already broken any links that were made to Napster or Napster-related sites, and locked the thread off.
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### Author:  [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2000, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/6 "2000-12-03T19:55:37Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by slythe \*
> \*\*Concerning said thread, I’ve already broken any links that were made to Napster or Napster-related sites, and locked the thread off. \*\*
Why you. . .you. . .facist, free thought blocking, evil moderator! I oughta report you to the Society for The Running of All Message Boards the Way I Want Them To Be Run! The STRAMBWIWTR will set you straight! They’ll burn monitors on your lawn and donate your moderator hat to Goodwill! And it’ll serve you right, interfering with my internet given right to post whatever, whereever, whenever I want.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2000, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/7 "2000-12-03T20:57:08Z")
Big words, Biggirl, but if ya had any guts you give me a proper flaming in the BBQ Pit.
Myghod, first half-way decent tongue lashing, and it’s in the wrong forum! What in the name of the Dread Dormammu does one have to do to get a good Pit thread started in your honor? 🙂
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### Author:  [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2000, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/8 "2000-12-03T21:49:47Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by TubaDiva \*
> **At the present time there is no way to tell who respects the copyright laws and who doesn’t; Napster allows for both.**
Let me get this straight:
I download and install Napster, all the while acknowledging and agreeing to adhere to the user agreement and [terms of use](http://www.napster.com/terms/terms.html). BTW, those forbid me from distributing copyrighted material.
So, I agree to play by the rules and use Napster legally. Everybody’s happy.
Then, I come to the SDMB and say “Hey, get my perfectly-legal Metallica boots, my username is \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_!” Boom! I violate some policy of the Chicago Reader that is completely opposite of the agreement I made with Napster when I used their software.
What’s wrong with this picture?
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### Author:  [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2000, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/9 "2000-12-03T21:52:16Z")
Oh, and while I’m on the subject, why does the SDMB allow people to input their AOL, Yahoo, and ICQ IM names in, when it’s a helluvalot easier to trade mp3s that way, than via Napster?
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### Author:  [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)
#### Post date: [December 3, 2000, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/10 "2000-12-03T22:12:48Z")
Montfort-
Are you serious? I certainly hope not.
I typed in a whole response, but my feelings are better summed up thusly: :rolleyes:.
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### Author:  [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2000, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/11 "2000-12-04T02:28:48Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Montfort \*
> \*\*
>
> > [@](#):
> >
> > \*Originally posted by TubaDiva \*
> > **At the present time there is no way to tell who respects the copyright laws and who doesn’t; Napster allows for both.**
>
> Let me get this straight:
>
> I download and install Napster, all the while acknowledging and agreeing to adhere to the user agreement and [terms of use](http://www.napster.com/terms/terms.html). BTW, those forbid me from distributing copyrighted material.
>
> So, I agree to play by the rules and use Napster legally. Everybody’s happy.
>
> Then, I come to the SDMB and say “Hey, get my perfectly-legal Metallica boots, my username is \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_!” Boom! I violate some policy of the Chicago Reader that is completely opposite of the agreement I made with Napster when I used their software.
>
> What’s wrong with this picture? \*\*
Oh please. PUH-LEEZE.
If they threw everybody off Napster that distributed copyrighted material the usage numbers would be very small.
The promise is in future Napster will be in compliance with copyright laws, it’s a promise yet to be fulfilled.
If that situation changes, I expect our policy might well change as well.
Yes, the users that don’t violate copyright have less offered to them because of the jerks that do. Who do you blame for that? How about the jerks?
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
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### Author:  [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2000, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/12 "2000-12-04T04:53:14Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Green Bean \*
> \*\*Montfort-
>
> Are you serious? I certainly hope not.
>
> I typed in a whole response, but my feelings are better summed up thusly: :rolleyes:. \*\*
Serious? Not really. More like playing devil’s advocate.
People who simplify things and attempt to find easy solutions to complex problems is a pet peeve of mine, and this Napster issue is certainly far more complex than some people would make it.
If I used the Straight Dope Message Board to inform users that they can trade mp3 files in violation of copyright using ICQ, would the Admins ban my ICQ number? Likewise, why can’t I tell people to IM me through Napster, which also has an instant messaging client?
I’m curious what your whole response was, though.
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### Author:  [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2000, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/13 "2000-12-04T05:36:59Z")
Oh, it was sort of a point-by-point analysis of your argument. I basically said that although napster can be used for “legitimate” purposes, it usually is not, and everybody knows it, and if the Chicago Reader is uncomfortable with being “associated” with it, we should understand and accept their decision.
Or something like that.
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2000, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/14 "2000-12-04T06:23:43Z")
**Montfort** , if you did invite people to engage in copywrite violations with you via ICQ or other means, we would probably lock and/or delete the message where you said it. Unfortunately, we have to cover our own behind: Napster is often (although not always) used for illegal purposes, and espescially considering our dependence on the copyright laws, that’s not something that we can be connected with. If it’ll make you feel better, feel free to go start (or join; we probably already have one) a Great Debate about whether Napster should be legal, but in the meantime, its status in in doubt, so we play it safe.
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### Author:  [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2000, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/15 "2000-12-04T09:00:25Z")
**Montfort** wrote
> [@](#):
>
> People who simplify things and attempt to find easy solutions to complex problems is a pet peeve of mine, and this Napster issue is certainly far more complex than some people would make it.
That’s a pretty bizarre outlook. I think most people admire those who can make the complex simple. And those who can solve problems. Certainly I do.
Anyway, here nor there, since your basic premise (that ‘this Napster issue’ is complex) is flawed. Nothing could be simpler. The basic purpose and use of Napster is to steal. The fact that people _can_ use it for legal purposes is a diversion.
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### Author:  [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2000, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napster-and-the-straight-dope/43815/16 "2000-12-04T16:17:40Z")
**Chronos** : Understood.
**Bill H** : No comment.